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Infielder Schoop among four called up to Orioles

Infielder Schoop among four called up to Orioles

3/7/13: Jonathan Schoop unloads on a pitch from Yadier Pedroso, drilling a three-run homer to extend the Netherlands' sixth-inning lead

By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- As expected, the Orioles officially promoted four players on Tuesday. Infielders Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop, pitcher Josh Stinson and designated hitter Henry Urrutia joined Baltimore, with Schoop the only member of the new additions who has yet to make his Major League debut.

"I just think they can benefit more by being here this time of year, especially Jonathan," manager Buck Showalter said of the decision to recall Urrutia and Schoop, who will both play in the Arizona Fall League. "And Henry, because of his lack of experience -- I think everything you can expose these guys to that have a chance to be in the Major Leagues, I think it only helps the transition. Plus with Jonathan, we need someone to run around with Manny [Machado]."

The organization's top position-player prospect, the 21-year-old Schoop was in big league Spring Training and is close friends with Machado, having come up with him through the Minor Leagues.

"He went through it last year. He can explain to me what's going on," Schoop said of having Machado in the clubhouse with him. "It can help me more. It can help me a lot -- on the field and off the field."

Schoop batted .256/.301/.396 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 289 plate appearances while playing second base and shortstop for Triple-A Norfolk this season, missing more than two months with a stress fracture in his lower back.

"It was frustrating, because I've never been out more than a week out of baseball," said Schoop, who will wear No. 6 for the Orioles. "At first, it was tough for me to adjust, because I didn't want to walk away. I wanted to play, but I couldn't. I needed to sit back and not play for it to get better or it could have got worse. That's why I sat back and did my rehab program, and now I feel good right now."

Schoop played for Team Netherlands in this year's World Baseball Classic, hitting .214/.313/.464 with two home runs in eight games.